Kilkenny Attractions

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Lyrath Estate
Kilkenny Attractions

Kilkenny is a vibrant city in the South East of Ireland, renowned for its culture, cuisine and medieval castle. The cobbled streets of the city are dotted with trendy bars, designer shops and craft boutiques all overlooked by the majestic towers of Kilkenny’s 12th century castle on the banks of the river Nore.

Artists and artisans flourish in Kilkenny; it is home to the National Craft Gallery, housed in the heart of the city in the old stable yard of Kilkenny Castle. Those looking for adventure can follow well signposted cycling trails and scenic loop walks. The Made in Kilkenny craft trail and Taste of Kilkenny food trail are also extremely popular Kilkenny attractions.

Other Kilkenny attractions include the myriad of eateries, bars and music venues that make Kilkenny such a popular destination. Kilkenny festivals have been attracting visitors to the city for decades thanks to nightlife famous for traditional music, intimate comedy gigs and an eclectic mix of trendy and traditional bars and cafes. Annual festivals in Kilkenny include the Rhythm & Roots blues festival, Kilkenny Arts Festival and The Cat Laughs Comedy Festival.

The popularity of Kilkenny city lies not only in its history, cosmopolitan joie de vivre and artisan appeal, but in its accessibility, just one hour from Dublin airport and Rosslare port. Find out more about our location and directions to Lyrath Estate Hotel.

St. Canice’s Cathedral

St. Canice’s Cathedral

St Canice’s Cathedral was built between 1202 and 1285, and stands on an important ecclesiastical site, which has been a place of Christian prayer for over 800 years. In fact Cill Channigh is Irish for The Church of Canice, the church that originally stood on the site in the 6th century. The cathedral is Early Gothic in style and is built of limestone.

St. Francis Abbey Brewery

A visit to St Francis Abbey Brewery is also known as The Smithwick’s Experience. The tour takes visitors through 300 years of Smithwick’s family history, but the journey begins in 1231, when the monks of St Francis Abbey discovered a way to purify water and turn it into ale.

Rothe House

Rothe House is the only example of an early 17th century merchant’s townhouse in Ireland. Rothe House was built between 1594 and 1610 by one of the city’s leading citizens at the time John Rothe Fitz Piers

Woodstock Gardens

Kilkenny Castle

Kilkenny Castle is synonymous with the Butler Family; they were Earls, Marquesses and Dukes of Ormonde and lived in the castle for over five hundred years. Lady Margaret Butler was the paternal grandmother of Anne Boleyn, second wife of King Henry VIII of England.

Kilfane Glen & Waterfall

Unchanged for over 200 years Kilfane Glen and Waterfall is an unspoiled example of a romantic era garden dating from the 1790s. Located near Thomastown, just 20 minutes’ drive from Lyrath Estate Hotel, Kilfane is a picture perfect paradise complete with tumbling waterfall, babbling stream and woodland paths leading to a cottage orné.